this is itsu

itsu is a leading healthy eating, Asian-inspired, quick-service retail and grocery brand with over 80 stores in the UK and a growing wholesale business across Europe and beyond. With its focus on best-in-class food made fresh in every shop, every day, itsu has big global ambitions and is committed to opening many more stores and expanding its thriving grocery arm. With a talented workforce, the latest technology, and a commitment to innovation, itsu is the future of fast food.

this is the job

As the Product Manager at itsu, you will report to the Food Director and will be responsible for overseeing food development for your designated portfolio within itsu [retail]. This may include cold & hot menu, drinks and snacks. You will play a pivotal role in maintaining itsu's high standards of food excellence, ensuring that our products meet our customers’ expectations, commercial aspirations, and our mission to make healthy, affordable healthy food accessible to everyone. You will be responsible for generating and implementing new ideas, developing control processes, benchmarking itsu against its competitors and current trends. You will collaborate closely with the Commercial Operations and Food development team, Safety, Marketing, Finance and Operational teams.

skills and responsibility overview

Food development: Lead the food innovation for itsu retail, ensuring new & existing product meet quality standards, commercial targets & customer expectations.

Health & nutrition strategy: Ensure health[ier] strategy is embedded in all new innovation and work to improve existing products to deliver against our nutrition goals.

Menu strategy: Work with marketing, commercial, supply chain & itsu grocery team to set out clear development plans to deliver against our commercial and customer calendars.

Menu delivery: work with the commercial ops, supply chain, safety and marketing departments to ensure all launches are delivered through the agreed processes to agreed timings.

Project management: Working alongside the commercial operations teams ensure that all projects are scheduled and delivered as part of the food development calendar.

core responsibilities

• Food development:
• Lead the development of new products from idea to launch, ensuring they meet brand, quality & commercial objectives
• Constantly innovate & research new ideas & seasonal dishes to ensure our range remains enticing to our current and future customers.
• Stay up to date with trends and competitor activity and use this as appropriate during the development process.
• Implement structured reviews of current menus and range to identify areas for improvement and ensure adherence to quality standards [taste, texture, presentation].
• present new and product improvement ideas as delivered against agreed briefs.

• Health & nutrition strategy
• Work with our nutritionist and cross functional teams throughout the development process to ensure products deliver against our health[ier] credentials.
• Identify opportunities to make current products health[ier] without negatively impacting quality, taste or presentation.

• Menu strategy
• Collaborate with the marketing & digital team to ensure product briefs are clear and set out with customer and business needs.
• Own and maintain the annual food development calendar

• Menu delivery
• Collaborate with the supply chain department to ensure the sourcing of high-quality ingredients and their consistency.
• Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure feasibility of ingredients and/or products.
• Work with the supply chain & technical teams on making products health[ier] through nutritional and ingredient changes.
• Set up and review outputs from any customer sensory testing as agreed as part of the development process.
• Work closely with the safety team to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations.
• Project management
• Work with relevant teams across the business to ensure any launches or product changes are planned to deliver maximum benefit and minimal disruption.
• Work to continually improve management reporting and project delivery processes.

this is you

Qualifications & experience

· A bachelor's degree or higher in food science, nutrition, culinary arts, or a related field would be beneficial.

· Proven experience in a similar role within the food industry of 3-4 years, preferably in a retail or restaurant setting.

· Working knowledge of food quality control processes, regulations, and industry standards.

· Familiarity with cold and hot menu development, drinks, snacks, and desserts.

Skills

· A real foodie with a passion for Asian inspired food.

· A curious and creative mindset.

· Excellent organisational and planning skills to implement control processes and improvements.

· Analytical mindset to assess current menus and identify areas for enhancement.

· Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with various departments.

· Attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining high-quality standards.

· Ability to stay updated with industry trends and emerging technologies.

· Willingness to be hands-on and comfortable working at pace.

you put people at the heart of everything you do by displaying the 4 itsu qualities:

· I take pride [in what I do]

· I genuinely care [for people]

· I want to grow [myself & others]

· I build trust [around me]